''Xanadu'' is a French television-series, also known as ''The Money Shot'' in the UK and the US, where it is shown on

Walter Presents Walter Presents is a video-on-demand service of the UK's Channel 4, part of its All 4 online platform. Launched on 3 January 2016, it specialises in foreign-language drama and comedy with English subtitles. It is named after Walter Iuzzolino, ...

Content

The focus of the series is the eponymous porn film production company Xanadu of the Valadine family. The company has financial problems, because Alex, pater familias and founder of the company, does not want to get involved in the

gonzo Gonzo may refer to: People * Gonzo (nickname), a list of people with the nickname * Radislav Jovanov Gonzo (born 1964), Croatian music video director Radislav Jovanov, also known as Gonzo * Matthias Röhr (born 1962), German musician whose stage ...

genre, which now defines the industry. His son Laurent, however, has recognized the signs of the times and wants to reposition Xanadu. In the background of the series is the story of Elise Jess, Alex's first wife and mother of the three children Laurent, Sarah and Lapo (her name references French 1980s porn star Marilyn Jess). Elise Jess was the showcase of the company as an actress until she died under unexplained circumstances. Her death is cleared up in the last of the eight episodes.

Cast

Jean-Baptiste Malartre Jean-Baptiste is a male French name, originating with Saint John the Baptist, and sometimes shortened to Baptiste. The name may refer to any of the following: Persons * Charles XIV John of Sweden, born Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, was King o ...

: Alex Valadine *

Alex Lutz Alex Lutz (born 24 August 1978) is a French actor, comedian and director. He is best known for his role of Catherine in ''La revue de presse de Catherine et Liliane'' in '' Le Petit Journal''. Theater He has worked with comedians like Malik Ben ...

: Young Alex Valadine *

Julien Boisselier Julien Boisselier (born 26 May 1970) is a French actor. Life and career Boisselier was born and raised in Nantes before moving to Paris to study comedy at Le Cours Florent. He dated acclaimed French actress Mélanie Laurent, though the two e ...

: Laurent Valadine *Nathalie Blanc: Sarah Valadine *

Swann Arlaud Swann Arlaud (born 30 November 1981) is a French actor. He has appeared in films such as '' Romantics Anonymous'' (2010), ''Les Anarchistes'' (2015), ''The Wakhan Front'' (2015) and '' Baden Baden'' (2016). Career In 2020 Arlaud won the César A ...

: Lapo Valadine *

Nora Arnezeder Nora Arnezeder (born 8 May 1989) is a French actress and singer. The recipient of a Lumières Award, she is an accomplished actress in the French film industry. Early life Arnezeder was born in Paris, France. Her father Wolfgang Arnezeder is Au ...

: Varvara Valadine * Judith Henry: Anne Valadine *

Gaia Bermani Amaral Gaia Bermani Amaral (born 16 September 1980) is a Brazilian-Italian actress, model and television presenter. Life and career Born in São Paulo, the daughter of a Brazilian fashion photographer and an Italian model, at young age Bermani Amara ...

: Elise Jess *

Solène Rigot Solène Rigot (born 1992) is a French actress and musician. She is mostly known for playing the lead role in the Belgian movie '' Puppylove''. Career Her first big role was in ''17 Girls''. Her performance was praised in the French movie '. Sh ...

: Marine Valadine *

Audrey Bastien Audrey Bastien (born 10 December 1991) is a French actress. She appeared in more than twenty films since 2010. Selected filmography References External links * 1991 births Living people French film actresses {{France-film-act ...

: Bettany Valadine *

Phil Holliday Phil may refer to: * Phil (given name), a shortened version of masculine and feminine names * Phill, a given name also spelled "Phil" * Phil, Kentucky, United States * ''Phil'' (film), a 2019 film * -phil-, a lexical fragment, used as a root ter ...

: Brendon *

Jeffrey Barbeau Jeffrey may refer to: * Jeffrey (name), including a list of people with the name * ''Jeffrey'' (1995 film), a 1995 film by Paul Rudnick, based on Rudnick's play of the same name * ''Jeffrey'' (2016 film), a 2016 Dominican Republic documentary film ...

: Julius *

Mathilde Bisson Mathilde is an alternative spelling of the names Matilde or Matilda, and could refer to: *Mathilde Dolgopol de Sáez (1901 –1957), Argentinian vertebrate paleontologist * Mathilde, Abbess of Essen (949–1011) * Mathilde Alanic (1864-1948), Fr ...

: Lou

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, tt1915497, Xanadu 2011 French television series debuts 2010s French drama television series Television shows set in France Adult video in fiction